DATEBOOK: Events calendar for the region

Bicycle challenge: Bicyclists will take part in the first San Elijo Hills Individual Uphill Time Trial at 8 a.m. July 17. The three-mile course begins at San Elijo Elementary School, 1600 School House Way and ends at Double Peak Park. Registration is $40. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to San Elijo elementary and middle schools. Newversionsports.com or (760) 470-2139.

“Beauty and the Beast”: Valley Center Community Theater presents performances July 16-18 and July 23-25 at the Valley Center High School’s Maxine Theater, 31322 Cole Grade Road. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. $13 tickets are available in advance at The Desert Rose, The Sports Closet and Stirrup Fun; $15 at vcct.org. (760) 749-3110.

MUSEUMS | GALLERIES

Defying Expectations: The show featuring the works of four contemporary American Indian artists in the region continues through Dec. 12 at the Oceanside Museum of Art, 704 Pier View Way. The artists are James Luna, Gerald Clarke, Catherine Nelson-Rodriguez and Raymond Lafferty. The exhibit is curated by Leah Cluff, a doctoral candidate at the University of California San Diego. (760) 435-3720; oma-online.org.

Wheels of Desire Motorcycle, Supercross and Motocross Show: The exhibit at Fallbrook Art Center spans more than 100 years of motorcycle history, with models from the late 1800s to present day bikes. Among them are a 1899 DeDion, a 1917 Harley-Davidson board tracker and a 1947 Vincent Black Shadow. The art and memorabilia exhibit includes paintings, sculptures, posters and riding gear. The show continues through Aug. 15. Admission is $8; free for art center members. The Fallbrook Art Center is located at 103 S. Main Ave. (760) 728-1414.

Girl Scout camp: Girls entering grades two to six are invited to the day camp Musicpalooza Aug. 2-6 at the Museum of Making Music, 790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad. Girls 12 to 17 may participate as program aides. Fees: $104 to $195. (619) 610-0719 or sdgirlscouts.org.

WORKSHOPS | LECTURES

Grant writing: Cal State San Marcos Extended Learning will offer a two-day workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 17 and July 24 at the campus, 333 Twin Oaks Valley Road. $225. (760) 750-4020; csusm.edu/el.

Is California Governable? NAIOP San Diego will host a discussion of state politics and the upcoming November elections at 7:30 a.m. July 20 at the Marriott San Diego/Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real. $40 members, $60 others, $75 at the door. naiopsd.org or (858) 509-4110.

Solar energy seminar: Green Life Solar and Sunpower will present information on how reduce electricity bills by using solar energy and federal, state and manufacturer incentives at 6 p.m. July 21 at Poway branch library, 13137 Poway Road. (858) 672-8667.

FAMILIES

Tie-dye T-shirts: The San Marcos Family Enrichment Program will host a workshop at 7 p.m. July 21 at the San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive. $3 per person and a one-time annual membership fee of $12 per family. (760) 744-9000.

OUTDOORS

Palomar Observatory tour: The Reuben Fleet Science Center will host bus trips to the observatory on Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. Highlights include a look at the 200-inch Hale telescope, a lecture on astronomy, a visit to the museum and stargazing on multiple telescopes. The tour is for ages 10 and older. $65 for museum members; $75 others. (619) 238-1233, ext. 806.

Nature walk: Trained naturalists of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy lead free walks to explore the flora, fauna and history of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The walks begin at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday at the Rios Avenue trail on the south side of the lagoon. A half-mile docent-led walk around the wetlands begins at 10 a.m. each Saturday at the nature center, 2710 Manchester Ave. (760) 436-3944.

Bird walk: Join Buena Vista Audubon Society members at 8 a.m. the first Saturday of the month and visit a bird sanctuary with a lake-and riparian-edge habitat that is not usually open to the public. Take state Route 76, turn left at Douglas Drive and continue to the stoplight at North River Road in Oceanside. Turn left and meet at the cul-de-sac by the entrance gate. Leader: John Haddock. (760) 941-7824.

SENIOR LIVING

Pageant of the Masters: The Magdalena Ecke YMCA will host trips to the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach in July and August. Fee: $99 to $119. (760) 942-9622, ext. 1429.

July Madness: The Carlsbad Playreaders presents a 1940s radio show re-enactment, scenes from well known stage comedies and an invitation to sing along with summertime songs at 12:45 p.m. July 21 at Carlsbad Senior Center, 700 Pine Ave. (760) 602-4650.

Rancho Bernardo Senior Services: Services offered include legal assistance from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays, financial planning from 1 to 3:30 p.m. second Tuesdays, simple wills on the last Friday of the month, health insurance consultations on the second Friday of the month, hearing tests and more. Call for an appointment. Free. RB Senior Services, 16769 Bernardo Center Drive Suite K-14. (858) 487-2640.

LaCosta Walkers: Walk the Batiquitos Lagoon at 8 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Meet at the golf club at 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad. Park to the right. For more information call Carol: (760) 431-6944.

Free taxi vouchers: The Senior Service Council offers free transportation for medical- and dental-related appointments. The vouchers are good for $7 each way and are available to seniors 60 and older who live in Escondido and have a gross annual income of less than $22,600 for up to two people and who have no other means of transportation. A qualified applicant is entitled to three round trips each month. Apply in person with proof of income from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays at 728 N. Broadway. (760) 480-0611.

North County Singles Club: Single seniors ages 55 and older are invited every Friday in Vista for dinner from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m., followed by dancing to live music. Call for reservations and a newsletter highlighting activities. (760) 942-2719.

Home Energy Assistance Program: Seniors could qualify for an additional credit toward their utility bill from San Diego Gas & Electric co.’s HEAP Program. Information and applications are available at the Senior Service Council Escondido, 728 N. Broadway, Escondido, in the Joslyn Center. (760) 480-0611.

The 2nd Tuesday Book Club: The group will discuss “The Known World” by Edward P. Jones on Aug. 10 in the main library’s Turrentine Room. The program is free and open to the public. Escondido Public Library, Turrentine Room, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido. (760) 839-4839 or library.escondido.org.

Bereavement support: Participants will learn about ways to express grief from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The Center for Grief Care and Education at The Institute for Palliative Medicine, Rancho Bernardo Swim and Tennis Club in the Club 21 Room, 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive, Rancho Bernardo. Newcomers welcome. (619) 278-6480 or sdhospice.org.

Emotions Anonymous: A 12-step program to help people cope with stress and emotional difficulties is offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first four Tuesdays of the month at Weingart Senior Center, Activity Room 2, Poway Community Park, 13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway. Free. (760) 207-2944.

The San Diego County Cymbidium Society: The society meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, except in July and August. Carlsbad Women’s Club, 3320 Monroe St., Carlsbad. Free, visitors welcome. (760) 732-0055, orchid2@mac.com.

Cardiff North County Parkinson’s Support Group: Meetings are 1 to 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. Belmont Village, 3535 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. Free. (760) 940-2763.